Closed-entry contact component



Feb. 16, 1965 w. H. MGKEE CLOSED-ENTRY CONTACT COMPONENT Filed June 19, 1961 United States Patent This invention relates to a contact structure adapted for use in a multiple contact connector, and more particular- 1y to the female or closed-entry contact component of a closed-entry contact structure which typically comprises cooperating male and female components.

The customary multiple contact connector comprises two'cooperating elements-one of which is a connector body section equipped with multiple rows of female contact components, and the other of which also includes a connector body section equipped with multiple rows of male contact components respectively alignable with the female components for establishing an electrical connection therewith when the two body sections are brought into cooperating adjacency. All of the individual male and female contact components are adapted to be respectively connected to lead wires so that a plurality of electric circuit connections are effected between correspending lead wires throughthe mating male and female contact components when the body sections are brought together. Each pair of male and female contact components together define a contact structure; and in a closed-entry contact structure, the male component is equipped with an elongated prong adaptedto be received within a complementary socket therefor provided by the female component. The quality of the electric connection eifectuated between any two mating components is dependent upon the establishment of a good frictional engagement between the prong and socket, and the quality of such frictional engagement must remain high through repeated insertions and removals of the prong fromthe socket.

An object of the present invention is to provide a closed-entry contact structure adapted for use in multiple contact connectors, and in which a good frictional and electrical connection is defined between the male and female components both initially and after long periods of use during which the components are separated and reconnected numerous times. Another object of the invention is that of providing a female or closed-entry contact component having a resiliently supported contact finger adapted to frictionally engage the prong of a male contact component inserted into thesocket of the female component and thereby establish an electrical connection therebetween, and in which the contact finger and associated structure is characterized by having an exceedingly good life cycle.

controlled through selection of two dimensions of the contact finger and its support structure.

Yet another object is to provide a closed-entry contact component of the character described, in which the contact finger and its support structure comprise a spring .clip circumjacent a portion of the socket-defining barrel of the component-the contact finger being bodily displaceable in a radial direction against the resilience of the clip upon insertion of such prong into the socket, the life cycle of the spring clip being increased because the'deflection resulting from such prong insertion occurs along the entire length of the clip.

A further object is to provide a structure of the type described wherein the clip is a separate structural el'ement formed independently of the socket-defining barrel of the component wherefore the clip may be formed rom a different material and/or processed by different treatments, thereby augmenting the life cycle and springlike characteristics thereof-the clipbeing of such character that it may be completelyvformed when originally ,made thereby obviating secondary forming operations which are usually required when separate contact'fingers are used in conjunctionwith closed-entry contact com- 7 ponents, the clip nevertheless being quickly and easily mounted upon the contact component barrel with a simple I snap action. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification develops.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which FIGURE 1 is a broken side view in elevation of a contact structure illustrating a closed-entry contact component embodying the invention and a prong component v inserted thereinto; FIGURE 2 is a longitudinally sectional view partly in elevation of the contact structure shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the contactstructure shown in FIGURE 1;,FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 44 of structural composition illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 5; and FIGURE 7 is a broken perspective View of the contact structure shown in FIGURES 1 through 4 illustratin g the lower or underside thereof.

The closed-entry contact structure illustrated in FIG- URES 1 through 3 includes a female or socket component 10 and a partially shown male component having a prong 11. The component 10 has a longitudinally extending barrel 12 adapted to be inserted into the body section (not shown) of longitudinallyextending tail 13 a .which may have a variety of forms and is adapted to be connected to a wire conductor. The barrel 12 has a cylindrical configuration, and is provided with a centrally disposed, longitudinally extending bore or socket 14 having a widened mouth 15 at the entrance thereof .to facilitate insertion of the prong 11 into the socket.

The component 10 is formed of a conductive material and is adapted to establish an electrical connection with the prong 11. V

Along one side the barrel12 is provided with a slot 16 tending circumferentially about the barrel 12 and in alignment with the slot 16 is a channel 17 which is somewhat shorter in the longitudinal direction than the slot 16.

.Mounted within the channel 17 is a clip18 adapted to cooperate with the prong 11 in frictionally retaining the same within the socket 14 and in effecting a good electrical connection between the prong 11 and barrel 12 of the female contact component.

As is shown most clearly in FIGURES 4 through 6, the clip 18 has a generally C-shaped configurationand the radius thereof is such that'it substantially conforms to the cylindrical surface portion of the channel 17 with which it is circumjacent. The clip 18 has a terminal end portion 19 equipped with a contact finger 20 which ex- Patented Feb. 16, 1965 tends. inwardly through the so as to facilitate insertion of the prong 11 into the soclre't, 14. It will be. noted that the contact finger 20 is an 1ntegral part of the clip 18, and is connected 'to the main cylindrical portion thereof through'a radially'and inwardly extending support or segment 22.

The opposite terminal end 23. of the clip 18 and adja- UREA When the prong restores itself tofthe positiontshown in FIGURE 51in.

11 is withdrawn, the clip 18 which it is in substantially contiguous relation withthe underlying surface of the channel 17. It should benoted that a further advantage attained by. aclip construction of this type, wherein theclip functions as'a'spring with the pivot axis thereof being the. end portion 23, is that the clip functions independently of friction developed between the circumferential .s'urfaceof. the barrel of the cent portion of the barrel 12 (as shown best in PIG- that prevents lateral'or transverse displacements of the URE 7) are equipped with cooperative fastener structure clip relative to-the barrel; and such'fastener structure is also effective to prevent longitudinal dis-placements of the clip although since the clipseats'within the channel 17', the walls: thereof provide effective constraint preventing longitudinal movements of the clip relative to the barrel.

'Such fastener structure includes a pair of spaced apart and longitudinally aligned ears ortabs 24 and 25 which respectively seat within recesses 26 and 27. provided thereforby the barrel 12 along opposite edges of the channel 17. The end" portion 23 of the clip 18 and cooperative fastener structure'define a longitudinally extending axis abontwhich the clip 18 pivots slightly upon insertion and removal of the prong 11 into and out of the socket 14. V

.A slightly modified construction is illustrated in FIG- URESa, and the variation in this modification resides in' thecooperative fastener structure anchoring the clip to the barrel. In this modified structure, the barrel is provided with a radially extending recess or openi'ng'ZS,

and'the clip is provided with a'lug 29 that seats within the opening 23'. Thus, the clip is constrained against both transverse and longitudinal displacements by the cooperative interconnection of the lug 29 and opening 28. "Since the remaining elements of the structure are .the same as those heretofore described inconnection with the prior embodiment, the'prirned form' of the same numerals are employed to identify these various elements.

Itis apparent from the drawing, and'particularly FIG- U'RE 5, that the clip lies wholly within the peripheral limits of the barrel 12' and'in no way interferes with the insertion and removal ofthe contact component ltl from r a connector body section. Additionally, displacement of the contact finger 2i) radially outwardly from. the

clip; andtherefore the [retaining action or" the clip is not dependent upon forcescf this type which are'difi'icult to control because, in the conventional structure, the points 'at which'such clip touches the barrel move about the "circumference thereof and the resultant force varie's'frorn a maximum value at which the-points of contact approach a separation of approximately l80. to values'substantially less as the points of contact'move away from diametric fopposition. i V

From the point or" View of fabrication, the structure is desirable in-that,the clip is completely formed when originally made, and therefore there are no secondary forming operations whichhave to be: perfdrmdaftsr the clip is mounted upon'the barrel. This perniits the clip to be made of materialshaving better spring characteristics, such as beryllium. copperheat-treate i to full. hardness.

As a result, a better frictionaland;cousequently'better electrical connection is defined betwen the prong'll and contact component 12, and the excellence of such mechanical and electrical connections has substantial longevity and is maintained through repeated insertions and withdrawals of the prong 11., Additionally, control of the retention forces imparted bythe clip 13 through the contact finger 2%) to a prong 11 is quite positivebecause of q the simple bending action of theclip, and there are only socket :14'upon insertion of the prong 11 thereinto does not appreciably change this relationship, and then the surrounding-walls of such connector body section do not interfere withthe proper performance of the clip 18.

"In mounting itherclip 18 on'the barrel 12, the contact finger Z0 is inserted into the slot 16 which then locates the terminal end po'rtion 23 ofthe clip along the barrel but "at a location angular-1y displaced in the clockwise direction from the position shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. A force is then applied radially inwardly against the clip at substantially the mid-point thereof, and such force urges ;the terminal end portion 23 along the surface, of thebar'rel ina counter-clockwise direction (again referring IQLFIGURES 4-'and 5.) until the-tabs 24 and 25 respectively seat within the recesses 26 and 27. The same mounting procedure is used in connection with the clip 18', and it may be noted that the lug 2.9 may be usedalong with the tabs-Maud -25'or as an alternative therefor.

No diflicultyis experienced in inserting the prong 11 into the socket 14because the forward end portion 21 of channel in circumjacent relation and generally coriforrn- 7 the contactzfihger extends upwardly and forwardly, and

'the'prong 11'is thereby permitted to slide along the un- V ders'urface of the contact finger. During-insertion of the prong ,lithe' contact'finger 26 is displaced radially outwardly; with the entire arcuate; length of the clip 18 acting being the terminal end portion 23 of the clip. Consequently,.the.clip deformed against the inherent spring force thereofiin the manner generally illustrated in FIG-- as a simple spring, with the pivot or spring axis thereof the segment 22.

creased by reducing the. clip radius and/ or increasing the from the spirit and'scope of the invention.

' I claim:

' two basic dimensions that determine suchjrete'ntionforces namely, the radius of the clip 18 andradial length' of' Thus, the retention force may be inradial length of the segment 22;"and conversely, retention forces may bereduced by 'changing either or both of these 7 dimensions in the opposite direction. V V, e While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention have'been set forth in 'considerabie detail for purposes of making an adequate disclosure thereof,- it

will be apparent to'those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details Without" departing 1. A' closed-entry. contact component adapted for use with a prong-equipped" contact component, comprising,

an elongated barrel provided at the forward end portion thereof with a longitudinallyextending socket'for removably receiving, such prong: therein, said barrel being pr'ovided with a longitudinally extending slot opening into said socket along one side thereof and being provided with aperimetric. channel extending thercabout in alignment with said slot, an open cli mounted within said ing to a perimetric portion thereof and having spaced terminal end portions one of which is equipped with a contact finger extendingthrough said slot and into said socket for frictional engagement with such prong upon insertion thereof into said socket, and fastener structure provided by said barrel and clip for securing saidclip to said barrel, said fastener structure; comprising a recess in said barrel intersecting said channel, and sa d clip;

having an ear extending therefrom at its end opposite said contact finger, said car being seated. within said recess, said clip'being resilient and the anchorage thereof to'said barrel defining an axis'about which said'clip can p, pivot upon insertion of such" prong into saidsocket.

2. A closed-entry contactcomponent' adaptcd for use with a prong-equipped contact component, comprising an elongated barrel provided at thetorward end portion thereof with alongitudinally extending socket for re- 5 movably receiving such prong therein, said barrel being provided with a longitudinally extending slot opening into said socket along one side thereof and being provided With a perimetric channel extending thereabout in alignment with said slot, an open clip mounted within said channel in circumjacent relation and generally conforming to a perimetric portion thereof and having spaced terminal end portions one of which is equipped with a contact finger extending through said slot and into said socket for frictional engagement with such prong upon insertion thereof into said socket, a fastener structure provided by said barrel and clip for securing said clip to said barrel, said fastener structure including a pair of longitudinally aligned and longitudinally extending recesses in said barrel respectively located along opposite edges of said chan- 1 nel and opening thereinto, and said clip being provided 5 prong into said socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,678 Schellenger Jan. 22, 1929 1,865,933 Mappes July 5, 1932 2,380,908 Heller July 31, 1945 2,931,003 Huetten et al. Mar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 886,954 France July 26, 1943 

1. A CLOSED-ENTRY CONTACT COMPONENT ADAPTED TO USE WITH A PRONG-EQUIPPED CONTACT COMPONENT, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BARREL PROVIDED AT THE FORWARD END PORTION THEREOF WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SOCKET FOR REMOVABLY RECEIVING SUCH PRONG THEREIN, SAID BARREL BEING PROVIDED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOT OPENING INTO SAID SOCKET ALONG ONE SIDE THEREOF AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PERIMETRIC CHANNEL EXTENDING THEREABOUT IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SLOT, AN OPEN CLIP MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL IN CIRCUMJACENT RELATION AND GENERALLY CONFORMING A PERIMETRIC PORTION THEREOF AND HAVING SPACED TERMINAL END PORTIONS ONE OF WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH A CONTACT FINGER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND INTO SAID SOCKET FOR FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SUCH PRONG UPON INSERTION THEREOF INTO SAID SOCKET, AND FASTENER STRUCTURE PROVIDED BY SAID BARREL AND CLIP FOR SECURING SAID CLIP TO SAID BARREL, SAID FASTENER STRUCTURE COMPRISING A RECESS IN SAID BARREL INTERSECTING SAID CHANNEL, AND SAID CLIP HAVING AN EAR EXTENDING THEREFROM AT ITS END OPPOSITE SAID CONTACT FINGER, SAID GEAR BEING SEATED WITHIN SAID RECESS, SAID CLIP BEING RESILIENT AND THE ANCHORAGE THEREOF TO SAID BARREL DEFINING AN AXIS ABOUT WHICH SAID CLIP CAN PIVOT UPON INSERTION OF SUCH PRONG INTO SAID SOCKET. 